Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin for Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular condition which can cause fatigable weakness of skeletal muscles including bulbar, ocular, limb, axial and respiratory muscles. Symptoms range from mild, transient double vision and ptosis to severe, life threatening diffuse weakness, and treatments which are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory have been shown to improve outcome in MG. This includes 10% intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), which has previous been shown by our group to improve strength at 2 and 4 weeks in patients with MG. Due to delay in the onset of many immunosuppressives and potential side effects from steroids and other immunosuppressive medications, IVIG is also used in clinical practice as bridging of maintenance therapy until other therapies take effect or the patient stabilizes. In addition, there have been other studies suggesting that 20% subcutaneous immunoglobuin (SCIG) can be helpful to improve strength in patients with MG over a relatively short period of time (6 weeks). Some of these studies are ongoing and are further evaluating the ability of IVIG and SCIG to stabilize or improve strength IVIG in patients with MG, however, there is no current published study evaluating different administration routes of immunoglobulin (IVIG and SCIG) in patients with MG over a longer 6 month follow-up period.

The current study aims to be the first to evaluate 20% Cuvitru SCIG formulation in patients with neuromuscular conditions including MG. The study aim is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 6 months of 20% SCIG Cuvitru treatment vs three months of 10% IVIG "pre-treatment" followed by 3 months of 20% SCIG Cuvitru treatment. The study will also be the first to use the myasthenia gravis impairment index (MGII) as primary outcome in conjunction with standard MG outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients over age 18
• Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of myasthenia gravis based on clinical criteria including fatiguable weakness and supported by either serological (acetylcholine receptor, muscle specific kinase or anti-low-density lipoprotein receptor- related protein 4 antibodies or electrophysiological testing (repetitive nerve stimulation of single fiber electromyography)
• Myasthenia Gravis Federation of America class II-IV
• Moderate to severe myasthenia gravis as defined by a quantitative myasthenia gravis score >10 or generalized myasthenia gravis impairment index score > 11
• Patient able to give consent and is able and willing to complete all study procedures and activities

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Patients not able to complete the study procedures or with an alternate diagnosis
• Patients with recent thymectomy in the past 6 months
• Patients receiving another biologic agent such as rituximab, belimubab, cyclophosphamide and eculizumab in the past 6 months prior to study entry
• No IVIG or subcutaneous immunoglobulin within the past month
• Patients on prednisone who have had alterations in prednisone dose over the past month prior to study entry
• Patients will previous known allergy or severe adverse reaction to intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulin
• Evidence of renal insufficiency (Cr>1.5 x elevated) or liver disease (transaminases > 2.5 x elevation) at screening.